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POWERING

UP!Food for the Future

The City of Edmonton is proud to host Food Secure Canada’s 2012 Assembly

Urban agriculture is an essential aspect in the development of sustainable communities.

The City of Edmonton’s Municipal Development Plan – The Way We Grow, endeavours

to attain a resilient food and agricultural system that contributes to the local economy

and the overall cultural, financial, social and environmental sustainability of the city.

Message from Food Secure Canada

Welcome to Edmonton for the 7th General Assembly and Conference of Food Secure Canada! These next three days promise to be thought-provok-ing and inspiring as we share and learn from each other about how to build a better future for food in Canada. With leaders of the food movement from coast to coast to coast, we will deepen our knowledge and skills, build greater solidarity amongst our varied and interconnected struggles, and emerge “pow-ered-up” to continue to build momentum for food systems that are sustainable and just.

Since last we met in Montreal, in November 2010, Food Secure Canada has grown by leaps and bounds. In April 2011, we launched the People’s Food Policy—the most comprehensive national food policy to have ever been developed in the country. That was followed by a strategic planning process and retreat, where collective decisions on our future were taken. We decided to hire staff and adopt the People’s Food Policy as the framework for our movement. We also agreed to focus on networking and advocacy at the federal level.

The spring mission of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier de Schutter, afforded us many opportunities to tell our stories, consolidate our analysis, and raise public awareness of hunger, food health and safety issues, and the difficulties faced by farmers trying to earn sustain-able livelihoods.

Food justice is more clearly than ever on the public agenda. This Assembly will examine many facets of food, from school gardens right up to global commodity prices. Our emphasis during the coming days—in addition to renewing old friendships and having a good time—should be on building our movement at the national level and sharpening our messages so that our voices are heard by more policy makers and the broader public, who are increasingly interested in where their food comes from.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the many sponsors of this event, as well as the dozens of volunteers who made this event a reality. Our very special thanks go to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) who generously agreed to host this event, as well as Growing Food Security in Alberta, which has provided indispensable partnership, know-how, and on-the-ground organizing.

Food Secure Canada would not exist without its members, and we need to build that base to be even stronger in the years to come. We trust that many of you will join us for the General Assembly on Sunday to elect a new Steering Committee that will take us to the next phase.

Food Secure Canada is you!

Eric ChauretteChair, Steering Committee

Diana BronsonExecutive Director

Food Secure Canada3720 Parc Avenue, Montreal, QC H2X 2J1514-271-7352 · www. foodsecurecanada.org

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Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Food Processing Development Centre and Business Incubator

The Food Processing Development Centre is a modern, fully equipped pilot plant and product develop-ment laboratory facility. It is staffed with experienced food scientists, engineers and technologists. Centre services are designed to strengthen and expand the capability of Alberta’s food processors to meet the challenges of the marketplace through application of new technology and the development of new or improved products and processes.

This tour will give participants an idea of the tremendous amount of work that may go into developing new food products and how Alberta Agriculture aids companies to become successful by combining science with innovation.

Max 20 people, additional cost $20 (50 minute drive south of NAIT in Leduc)

Jasper Place High School - Permaculture Meets Culinary Arts

Jasper Place High School has a permaculture club. Students have developed a rooftop greenhouse, a courtyard permaculture garden and a tilapia/hydroponics operation in which the scraps of food feed the fish, and the veggies and fish feed the students through the culinary arts program. First nations programs that demonstrate respect for the Earth and the cycles of life are taught at this progressive school. This tour will give participants a glimpse into new ways of thinking and doing that involve kids to build a better future.

Max 30 people, additional cost $10 (20 minute drive west of NAIT in the west end of Edmonton)

Edmonton’s Food Bank

See what it takes to serve approximately 15,000 clients per month through their hamper program as well as provide food for 350,000 meals and snacks monthly through more than 200 agencies, churches, and food depots.

Max 40 people in groups of 10, additional cost $10 (5 minute drive south west of NAIT in Edmonton)

Sysco

Sysco is a global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. Sysco has recently completed a catalogue of its local food offerings for Alberta foodservices. This tour will give participants an idea of the enormous scale of just this one aspect of the food system as well as what it takes to take local produce to foodservice institutions.

Max 20 people, additional cost $10 (30 minute drive west of NAIT in the Acheson industrial district)

Registration: Annette.Anderwald@gov.ab.ca, with Assembly Tours in the subject line. Please have cash onsite at Chateau Louis.

Thursday, November 1, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Tours around Edmonton

5FOOD SECURE CANADA

On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, Alberta’s Capital City, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Food Secure Canada 2012.

As a national membership-based organization, Food Secure Canada is committed to fighting hunger and building healthy, fair and ecological food systems. Food Secure Canada emphasizes the connections between indigenous traditions and sustainable agriculture, food and health, ecology and economy. This important event brings farmers, community leaders, students, health professionals and others together from all over Canada to create an opportunity to learn, network and share ideas on the most comprehensive food systems from around the world.

The City of Edmonton is proud to host this assembly and facilitate discussion on the role of food and urban agriculture in the economy and lives of citizens. Thank you to Food Secure Canada for your time and effort in organizing this event. You have helped enhance Edmonton’s reputation as an agricultural and sustainable city.

Enjoy the conference!

Yours truly,

Stephen Mandel Mayor t

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FSC Network Meetings

Food Secure Canada networks are spaces for our members from across Canada to share information, support each other’s work, and develop common projects at the national level. Join us by joining one of our networks!

Northern/Remote Food Network Saturday, November 3, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Room E115 Initiated at our last assembly, this network connects people who are working in challenging circumstances in Northern and/or remote communities. Come get acquainted with people working on similar issues, discuss our needs and how this network might support those needs. We will also talk about future potential projects—please bring your ideas! The Indigenous Circle that FSC convenes is also invited to join in this meeting.

Provincial and Territorial Networks Meeting Saturday, November 3, 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Room E111 FSC’s longest standing network, this group has been a space for Provincial and Territorial Food Networks to share information on their work, their struggles, and emerging best practices. All food organizations who work at the provincial or territorial level are welcome to join this rare opportunity where provincial actors meet face to face. Amongst other items, this meeting is an opportunity to deepen our collective thinking around the idea of developing provincial report cards on food—an exciting comparative research and advocacy project.

Children and Food Network Friday, November 2, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Room WA314 This young network has set clear priorities: working to protect children from junk food marketing; advocating for a national school food program, and enhancing the presence of children and food issues on the national stage. Join us to review our draft position paper and discuss strategies for advancing these goals together in the com-ing years.

Sustainable Local Food Systems Network Monday, November 5, 9:00 am – 3:45 pm Our newest network will be meeting for a full day to get to know each other and define common goals. For more information, contact Abra Brynne at systems@foodsecurecanada.org.

Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement Project (CFICE) Friday, November 2, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, Room WB 314 A brand new project at FSC in collaboration with Carleton University, CFICE will be working to strengthen the work between academics and the community food sector. We will discuss research priorities and develop our workplan and process for moving forward on campus/community research relationships.

Other meetings or round tables:

FSC Federal Budget Brainstorm Friday, November 2, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, Room WA314

Food Secure Canada will be presenting its recommendations on the 2013 Federal Budget before the Parliamen-tary Finance Committee on November 20. Join us for a discussion on our key messages! If you cannot be there but are still interested, send a message to Nydia@foodsecurecanada.org with BUDGET in the subject line.

New Farmers Round Table Saturday, November 3, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Room X203 Contact Christie Young for more information: christie@farmstart.ca

Canadian Association of Food Studies

Thursday, November. 1, 5:30 – 8:00 pm Contact Charles Levkoe for more information: charles.levkoe@utoronto.ca

Connect with Others - Looking to connect with others working on similar issues or grappling with the same tough questions? You can book an ad-hoc meeting space when you register onsite or host a lunchtime conversation by posting an invitation on the notice board near the registration desk.

Powering Up Our Movement with FSC Networks

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Message from Growing Food Security in Alberta

Welcome to Edmonton! We are pleased to be your local hosts for the 7th General Assembly and Con-ference of Food Secure Canada. Together we are Powering Up the efforts to build local food security and food sovereignty across Canada. We’re excited to share the stage with you all!

Out here in the west, we’ve been experiencing rapid growth in the food security movement with encouraging activity taking place within both our provincial and municipal governments. Of course, government action would not exist without the many grassroots groups and passionate individuals working together to inspire dialogue and discussion. Together, we are making our voices heard, and we are committed to making the most of all available energy resources in our province.

We are most proud of the collaboration around city-wide urban agriculture strategies in Calgary and here in Edmonton and of the inspiring work being done by visionary leaders on the ground to educate the general public about the science and practice of permaculture design. Strong leadership and an emerging troop of educators are making Alberta a nucleus of development for food security and the regeneration of relationship to the source of our food, where it comes from, and how we can all take active and empowering roles in how it’s produced from field, backyard, or even rooftop to fork!

We look forward to the many discussions and connections we will share over the next few days. We hope you enjoy your stay with us. We also would like to thank the event sponsors for their generous contributions and the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to see this event to fruition. Extra special thanks to our host venue, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and the leader-ship provided by Food Secure Canada, its members, and the many food security networks across the country.

Cheers!

Susan Roberts Lead Project Coordinator

Rene Michalak Assistant Project Coordinator

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Local and Just, or Just Local?Friday, November 2, 8:45 am, NAIT’s Shaw Theatre

Chair: Martha McMahon, Farmer, University of Victoria

Speakers: Norma Kassi, Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research; José Sicajau, Association of Guatemalans United for our Rights; Kathleen Charpentier, Farmer; Don Mills, Local Food Plus; Utcha Sawyers, FoodShare Toronto.

From backyards and community gardens, to CSA baskets, to farmers’ markets, the portion of local food on our plates is getting larger. Small and medium-scale farmers across the country are play-ing a growing role in providing nourishing food we can digest in more ways than one. Yet for many people this is unaffordable, even elitist! This plenary explores the local food movement. How can we ensure the food system is both local and just? What systemic inequalities does local food perpetu-ate? We will hear from the critical voices of agricultural migrant workers, Northern communities, farmers, and those whose experiences of local food are coloured by race or class.

Energy, Resilience, and the Future of FoodFriday, November 2, 7:00 pm, Expo Centre - Catch a shuttle at some hotels or at NAIT at 6:15 pm

Chair: Jim Hole, Businessman/Writer

Speakers: Pat Mooney, ETC Group; Augusta Henriques, Tiniguena, Guinee Bissau; Eriel Deranger, Athabaska Chipewyan First Nation; Michael Lewis, Canadian Center for Community Renewal.

Convenient. Cheap. Fast. What have these buzzwords done for you lately? This plenary speaks to the need to carefully consider energy, climate and sustainability when it comes to changing how we produce, think about and eat our food. The solutions to the climate crisis and world hunger lie not in the false promises of new technologies and big capital as much as they do in strengthening traditional knowledge, biological and cultural diversity, and the resilience of farmers and indigenous peoples at the local level. Our food movement is growing in breadth and strength and is increasingly in a position to effect change, solve global crises, and heal the Earth. Hear from some of our leaders why business as usual is not an option and what we could be doing instead.

Plenaries

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The Food Policy Disconnect: An Encounter between Activists and PoliticiansSaturday, November 3, 8:30 am, NAIT’s Shaw Theatre

Chair: Diana Bronson, Food Secure Canada

Speakers: Abra Brynne, Food Secure Canada; Rex Knapaysweet, Chief of Fort Albany First Nation; Cathy Holtslander, National Farmers Union; Debbie Field, FoodShare Toronto; Wendy Knowlton, Annapolis County Family Resource Centre; MPs Malcolm Allen (NDP MP, Welland); Leon E. Benoit (Conservative MP, Vegreville-Wainright); other MPs to be confirmed.

There’s a “disconnect” between community activists working to build a fair, healthy and ecological food system, and the policy makers who draft the legislation that governs this system. Four activists and one Chief working for change at the local level will share their stories and analysis with a group of federal MPs—all Parties in the House have been invited. This Round Table is an opportunity to ask questions, define policy obstacles, move roadblocks, and put forward concrete recommendations for action—an encounter between two groups of people who do not meet often enough.

Powering Up the Movement!Sunday, November 4, 11:00 am, NAIT’s Shaw Theatre

Chair: Amanda Sheedy, Food Secure Canada

Speakers: Brigette DePape, “Stop Harper” Page; Kathryn Lennon, Public Interest Alberta; Eric Joamie, Feeding My Family; Cathleen Kneen, former chair, Food Secure Canada.

How can we build our movement so that we create the food systems we want? A diverse panel of inspiring speakers from multiple generations will serve up their recipes for change—a pinch of this, a dash of that, carefully melding the ingredients of change, sharing inspiring art, music, and discus-sion. We’ll look at successes, challenges, and strategies for the future with activists who have already brought about change. BYOBP (Bring your own best practices).

Plenaries

We extend our appreciation to Foothills Institute for videotaping the Plenary Sessions. Stay tuned to www.foodsecurecanada.org after the Assembly for video updates.

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7:00 - 8:30 am

Friday, November 2

Thursday, November 1

Breakfast in the North Lobby and Registration in NAIT’s Shaw Theatre Lobby

8:30 - 10:30 am Welcome! Opening Plenary: Local and Just, or Just Local?

1:30 - 3:30 pm Tours Rendez-vous at Chateau Louis by 1:00 pm

5:00 to 9:00 pm Registration and Reception with snacks and beverages in NAIT’s Shaw Theatre Lobby

Break

Workshops A1to A6

12:30/1:00 - 2:00 pm Lunch in the North Lobby

2:00 - 3:30 pm Workshops B1to B6

3:30 - 4:00 pm Break

7:00 - 9:00 pm Plenary: Energy, Resilience, and the Future of FoodOpen to the PublicEdmonton Expo Centre7515 - 118 Avenue

10:30 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 12:30/1:00 pm

7:00 to 9:00 pm Films, NAIT’s Shaw Theatre

Program at a Glance

4:00 - 5:30 pmWorkshops C1 to C5

Meeting: CFICE

Meeting: FSC Federal Budget Brainstorm

Meeting: Children and Food Network

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Sunday, November 4

7:30 - 9:00 am Breakfast in the North Lobby

9:00 - 10:30 am Workshops G1 to G7

7:00 - 8:30 am

Saturday, November 3Breakfast in the North Lobby and Registration in NAIT’s Shaw Theatre Lobby

8:45 - 10:30 am Plenary: The Food Policy Disconnect: An Encounter of Activists and Politicians

10:30 - 11:00 am Break

Meeting: Northern Network

Workshops D1 to D7

12:30/1:00 - 2:00 pm Lunch in the North Lobby

2:00 - 3:30 pm

Break

4:00 - 5:30 pm

3:30 - 4:00 pm

Workshops E1 to E7

11:00 - 12:30/1:00

Workshops F1 to F6

Meeting: Provincial Networks

Meeting: New Farmers Round Table

6:30 - 9:30 pmTastes and Sounds of Alberta NAIT’s Common Market

10:30 - 11:00 am

Plenary: Powering Up the Movement11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Break

12:30 - 2:00 pm

2:00 - 5:30 pm

Lunch/Closing in the North Lobby FSC’s Annual General Meeting

Meeting spaces available (more information at registration desk)

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Workshops Friday, November 2

A1 - Food Movements, Civic Engagement, and the Struggle over Room: Shaw Theatre Edmonton’s Food and Agriculture Strategy A moderated panel with representatives from the City of Edmonton, the Greater Edmonton Alliance and others.

A2 - Addressing Food Insecurity through the Food Movement in Canada Room: X111 This interactive workshop will present an overview of research on food insecurity in Canada and examine its relationship to food security in this country.

A3 - Seafood Sustainability: Local to Global Issues and Responses Room: J008 This workshop will involve three presentations from Inter Pares, Ecology Action Centre, and Vancouver Island University, as well as a discussion about seafood sustainability.

A4 - Indigenous Actions Aimed at Rebuilding Food Sovereignty Room: H005 This panel includes 3 indigenous food actionists who are addressing food access issues in remote communities

in Northern Canada including Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Get Growing Project, Feeding my Family in Nunavut, and local food production initiatives in Northern Manitoba.

A5 - Scaling Up the Role of Farmers’ Markets in the Development Room: North Lobby of More Resilient Food Systems In this workshop we will discuss emerging innovative strategies for improving farmers’ markets. We will begin by presenting research results from British Columbia and Alberta farmers’ markets.

A6 - New Federal Rules for Non-Profits and the Future of FSC Room: WB314 This workshop is designed to provide a space for an indepth discussion of FSC’s coming governance changes with the Chair of our Steering Committee and lawyer Holly Solomon.

11:00 am - 12:30/1:00 pm Workshops A1 to A6

2:00 - 3:30 pm Workshops B1 to B6

B1 - Changing the Way We Do Business: Room: Shaw Theatre A Round Table on Money, Markets, and Social Change Join leaders from The J. W. McConnell Foundation, Community Food Centres Canada, Farm to Cafeteria Canada and Askew’s Food for a stimulating discussion about the best and perhaps most controversial ideas on the future of food.

B2 - Biofuels, Fossil Fuels, and Renewable Energy: Room: WB314 Fueling the Canadian Rural Sector Join leaders from Quebec and Alberta to discuss the short-comings of government energy policy and learn about solutions being generated at the local level.

B3 - CFICE Round Table: Campus-Community Partnerships Room: X111 in the Canadian Food Movement Brought to you by the Community Food Security hub of a new research project headed by Carleton University (Ottawa) and Food Secure Canada, this round table will feature speakers from a variety of campus-community partnerships in teaching and research.

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Workshops Friday, November 22:00 - 3:30 pm Workshops B1 to B6 ( cont’d.)

B4 - Measuring Our Impact: Strengthening and Simplifying Evaluation Room: J008 in the Community Food Security Sector This workshop will aim to reduce anxiety around evaluation and explore some easy and practical evaluation concepts and tools that have been tested on the ground by The Stop Community Food Centre and Community Food Centres Canada.

B5 - Country Foods: Promises and Problems Room: H005 Join Indigenous food leaders to discuss how traditional country foods offer hope for food sovereignty and solu-tions to food insecurity in remote communities, but is threatened by industrial developments.

B6 - Food for Media Thinking Room: North Lobby This session features tricks of the trade for communicators as well as thoughts about the key role of communica-tions in food movement leadership. Wayne Roberts and others will share their insights and tips.

4:00 - 5:30 pm Workshops C1 to C5

C1 - Seed Sovereignty is Food Sovereignty: The Role of Seed Savers, Farmers, Room: North Lobby and Plant Breeders in Building a Resilient Food System in Canada Join USC-Canada and friends for a session that will provide a brief background and explore current dynamics in seed biodiversity, market development, cooperatives, organics and new developments in the Canadian seed scene.

C2 - Promoting Health through Food Security and a Sustainable Food Supply Room: Shaw Theatre A workshop and discussion with the Dietitians of Canada, Equiterre, and others about how population health and prevention of food-related diseases should drive our work towards a sustainable food supply and access to healthy food for all.

C3 - Livestock, Meat, and Food Security: An Interactive Session Room: X111 Come and discuss the hidden costs of industrial animal agriculture in Canada and some solutions with staff from World Society for the Protection of Animals, a sustainable livestock producer, and authors.

C4 - Food Justice I: Dismantling Racism to Grow a Just Food Movement Room: J008 Join FoodShare Toronto and others to explore the work being done in aboriginal communities and neighbour-hoods across Canada to build a more inclusive food system by explicitly naming racism in the food system and developing a more inclusive process.

C5 - Northern Grub: Community Food Planning and Action in Northern Labrador Room: H005 Join representatives from the Upper Lake Melville and Hopedale CLFAs, and Food Security Network of NL for an overview of the Community-led Food Assessment (CLFA) process, showcase the resulting initiatives and engage participants in activities to start to think about how to host a CLFA in their community.

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Workshops Saturday, November 3

D1 - Municipal/Regional Food Policy: Cross-country Check Up Room: X213 During this panel, key findings will be shared from the Municipal and Regional Food Systems and Strategies research project. Panelists from organizations across Canada will speak firsthand to some of the topics addressed in the report.

D2 - GM Crops Will Not Feed the World: Info and Arguments Room: Shaw Theatre to Take on Corporate PR Activists from West Africa, India, and Canada, including the Canadian Biotech Action Network, will use case studies and examples from around the world to expose the myths behind corporate public relations on geneti-cally modified crops.

D3 - Growing to Learn, Learning to Grow: Children and Gardening Room: X111 This workshop explores a variety of exciting initiatives that are helping children re-connect with the source of their food, the Earth and their own communities through gardening.

D4 - (Breaking) the Silent Harvest: Experiences of Agricultural Room: X203 Migrant Workers in Canada The workshop will highlight the experiences of community organizers from Latin America at the forefront of the struggles for migrant workers’ rights, including José Sicajau, President of the Association of Guatemalans United for our Rights (AGUND).

D5 - Students in the Food Movement: From a National Student Food Charter Room: X205 to Campus-specific Programming Meal Exchange, Sierra Youth Coalition, and students from the University of Alberta will present on the National Student Food Charter’s development—its significance, its role in movement building, and its uses for students.

D6 - Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Matter! Room: X107 This workshop will explore organizational and financial models that help to create vital relationships and new sources of capital for new or existing, small or large, diversified, and innovative farm and food enterprises.

D7 - Community Food Centres Canada: Where we’ve come from & where we’re going Room: E202 Join CFCC (a new national organization that emerged from The Stop) for a discussion about the role of commu-nity food centres in the Canadian food movement, as well as the role of CFCC at the national level to advocate for a more just, sustainable food system.

11:00 - 12:30/1:00 pm Workshops D1 to D7

2:00 - 3:30 pm Workshops E1 to E7

E1 - Beyond the Same Old: Models for Diversifying Funding Room: Shaw Theatre Join the McConnell Family Foundation, EcoTrust, GreenShield, Pembina Institute, and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives for presentations and a lively discussion about how organizations are diversifying their fund-ing in new, old, and creative ways.

E2 - Food Justice II: Frameworks and Tools for Understanding and Action Room: E115 This workshop introduces anti-racism as a framework to explore how food movements reinforce, transform, and/or challenge current patterns of power and food (in)justice. Tools for building alliances between diverse communities interested in working towards a just food system will be introduced by members of the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative and friends.

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Workshops Saturday, November 3

E3 - Permaculture and Aquaponics: The Future of Global Food Security, Community Room: X205 Health, and Self-sustaining Communities This presentation will explain the science behind permaculture design with a special emphasis on aquaculture as a means to create sustainable and regenerative food systems.

E4 - Cross-cultural and Indigenous Food Justice and Sovereignty Room: X111 Join members of the Vancouver Island & Coastal Communities Indigenous Foods Network, the Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research, and the BC Food Systems Network for a discussion about their successes and the challenges of building and maintaining cross-cultural food networks that are rooted in indigenous food sover-eignty.

E5 - It’s Not Just About Bacon! Room: X213 The food price crisis of 2007-8 is not over. Join in a conversation about what this “new normal” means for Cana-dians and Food Secure Canada in particular. What are the big forces driving volatile commodity prices?

E6 - New Farmers Round Table: Growing the Capacity of a New Generation across Canada Room: X203 This round table, hosted by FarmStart and FarmON.com, will feature short presentations by folks who work to support a new generation of farmers from each part of the country. After the break, please return for a discussion about how we can work together to support and encourage opportunities for new entrants, farm succession, and agricultural sector resilience.

E7- Farm to Cafeteria: Dig in Canada! Room: X107 This interactive session, including presentations from people across Canada, will shed light on a movement that is closing the distance between farm and fork by bringing local and sustainably produced foods into public insti-tutions.

2:00 - 3:30 pm Workshops E1 to E7 ( cont’d.)

4:00 - 5:30 pm Workshops F1 to F6

F1 - Food is a Human Right: What Does that Mean? Room: X111 What does it mean to see food as a human right? What kind of political strategy does this entail? How does the right to food relate to Indigenous peoples, farmers, and others?

F2 - How to get Academic Researchers to Help You Get Things Done Room: X205 The goal of this workshop is to help community-based organizations turn their day-to-day information needs into researchable questions, as a first step towards building relationships with academic institutions.

F3 - Our Changing Homeland, Our Changing Lives Room: Shaw Theatre This film tells an amazing tale about the people of Old Crow, Yukon. The land that has sustained the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, People of the Lakes, in the Far North of Yukon, Canada is undergoing rapid changes from global warming. Join Norma Kassi and others for a viewing and conversation.

F4 - The Global Food Security Situation and Food Assistance: Canada’s Role Room: X213 Canadian Foodgrains Bank and friends provide an overview of the global food security situation and unpack some of the global community’s key responses to rising hunger, with a focus on international food assistance.

F5 - New Farmers Round Table: Growing the Capacity of a New Generation Across Canada Room: X203 This workshop is a continuation of E6 above.

F6 - What are Land Grabs and How Can We Take Action to Stop Them? Room: X107 This workshop, hosted by Inter Pares and Oxfam, will connect North and South by presenting the results of recent research into Canadian financial involvement in the global land rush.

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Tastes and Sounds of Alberta

The Tastes and Sounds of Alberta is THE social event for the Food Secure Canada National Assembly and is being held on Saturday, November 3rd in NAIT’s Common Market area from 6:30 until 9:30 pm.

This Farmers’ Market style event offers attendees delectable hot and cold foods, as well as alcoholic beverages. It’s a grand opportunity to sample unique Alberta foods from primary producers and Farmers’ Market vendors. Attendees will also have the chance to purchase take-home items from these food vendors, just like a Farmers’ Market. The biggest difference is that the “samples” offered are very generous, and by grazing through these stations—VOILA—supper will have been served! In addition to the Pop-UP Art gallery, six Alberta craft artists will sell their unique antler items and other jewelry, purses, soaps, household items, mosaics and paintings. Just think—you’ll have a few little keepsakes of the conference to take home.

While sampling food & beverages and mingling, attendees will be serenaded by three Alberta musicians. Each of the musical artists will command the stage for about an hour. Plan to stay the entire evening to hear them all. Enjoy the talents of Martin Kerr, Amelia Kaminski, and Roland Majeau as they enliven the event with their memorable toe-tapping tunes. You won’t want to miss it!

Tickets are $30; available at foodsecurecanada.org or onsite at registration table.

Saturday, November 3 - 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Workshops Sunday, November 4

9:00 - 10:30 am Workshops G1 to G7

G1 -Charity Chill: Advocacy in the Current Political Context Room: Shaw Theatre Join IMAGINE Canada for a presentation and discussion on how charities and nonprofits can set their own course amid increasing demands for accountability, transparency, efficacy, and the growing “charity chill”.

G2 - Co-operative Approaches to Alternative Food and Farm Initiatives: Room: X111 This is Democracy? Join members of the co-op movement for Pecha Kucha presentations and a world-cafe discussion to critically question the co-operative model and how it is used in the food movement. Do co-operatives promote inclusivity, democracy, sovereignty, and transformation?

G3 - The Food Movement and Cultural Change Room: X203 Join academics and practitioners to think about how we change and draw on theories of change. We will ask whether progress by the food movement will entail cultural change as well as political and social change.

G4 - Growing Forward? Where Exactly is the New Agriculture Policy Framework Going? Room: X205 Join the National Farmers Union for an examination of this key policy framework by questioning the direction, the notion of progress assumed by the government and corporate sector, and the idea that there is a destination that is not openly discussed.

G5 - Food Security in Rural and Remote Communities: Best Practices and Discussion Room: X213 From a remote First Nations Community to the mountainous region of Interior British Columbia, three small com-munities come together to share their Food Security Project stories.

G6 - The Power of Collaborative Networks for Food System Transformation Room: X105 This round table discussion will focus on the role of networks within the broader ecology of food initiatives and lessons learned about successful collaboration.

G7 - Ithinto Mechisowin (food from the land) Room: E102 Join members of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation to discuss the impacts of hydro-electric dams in northern Mani-toba on traditional food sources, and the journey to reclaim food sovereignty.

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General Assembly Sunday, November 4

A. Adoption of the AgendaB. Adoption of AGM minutes from 2011C. Oral Report from the Chair D. Oral Report from the Executive Director E. Adoption of Financial Statements for 2009, 2010, 2011 F. Appointment of Auditor for 2012 G. Election of New Steering Committee H. Bylaws: Short-term amendments for current bylaws - Resolutions to be passed I. Bylaws: Report from governance sub-committee Adjournment of Business meeting General Discussion on the Future of FSC

All AGM background documents can be found at http://foodsecurecanada.org/AGM2012

Items E and F: Finances Financial statements for 2009, 2010, and 2011, which have been adopted by our Steering Committee and submit-ted to the membership for ratification. A resolution proposing an auditor for our books for 2012 is proposed by the Treasurer. Our financial statements are on our website at http://foodsecurecanada.org/our-financial-statements, and a limited number of hard copies will be available for consultation at the Assembly.

Item G: Steering Committee (see page 18) Following our call for nominations, and a process of electronic voting, the FSC Nominations Committee (Lauren Baker, Dayna Chapman, Brynne Sinclair-Waters) will propose a new slate of candidates at the AGM, reflecting the votes cast and the identified needs of the organization, including representation from different regions and sectors.

Item H: Bylaw Amendments (short-term) Resolutions amending our bylaws that have been adopted by the Steering Committee over the last year are sub-mitted for ratification to the membership. The complete text of all resolutions is available on our website: http://foodsecurecanada.org/AGM2012. They mostly deal with practical matters and delegation of financial and legal authority to the Steering Committee Executive (Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer, Secretary). Hard copies will also be available in Edmonton.

Item I: Report from Governance Sub-committee on Bylaws (long-term changes) The fact that all federally incorporated non-profits are obliged to re-incorporate by October 2014 gives FSC an op-portunity to update its structures, and build its membership. This is a complex process under rules that we did not design and will, therefore, take a year to 18 months to complete. At this AGM, we will share and discuss a report of the Steering Committee Sub-committee on governance. The governance subcommittee could be mandated to continue its work. The more detailed report from the governance committee is on our website: http://foodsecure-canada.org/AGM2012. In addition to the AGM itself, this topic will be discussed during a special working session:

New Federal Rules for Non-Profits and the Future of FSC Friday, November 2, 2012, 11 am, Room: WD314

All federally incorporated non-profits and charitable organizations must update their bylaws and constitutions by October 2014 to bring them into compliance with the new federal Not For Profit Act. This is framed as improving “transparency, accountability, and efficacy” but in fact has real impacts on our sector. Food Secure Canada’s membership is navigating these waters and beginning a process of updating our bylaws at the Steering Commit-tee level. Join members of the Steering Committee Governance Sub-Committee and our lawyer Holly Solomon to discuss the new rules and implications for our movement in general, and FSC in particular. This discussion will provide important background and context for the discussion that will be held at our AGM on Sunday and over the coming year.

Agenda, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

18

Thank you to all our Volunteers! Faris Ahmed,* Ottawa, ON Director, International IssuesLauren Baker,* Toronto, ON Vice-Chair, Director, Healthy & Safe FoodDayna Chapman,* Bella Coola, BC SecretaryKathleen Charpentier,* Castor, ABEric Chaurette, Ottawa/Gatineau, ON/QC ChairBarton Cutten,* Truro, NSKatelyn Friendship,* Whitehorse, YKLyna Hart, Winnipeg, MBCathleen Kneen, Ottawa, ONTatiana Fraser, Montreal, QC TreasurerMichel Lambert, Montreal, QC

Joe Munroe,* Muskoday, SKJoan Norberg, Whitehorse, YK Co-Director, Sustainable Food SystemsAndrea Peart, Ottawa, ONShawn Pegg,* Toronto, ON Director, Zero HungerWayne Roberts, Toronto, ONJoyce Rock,* Montreal, QCColleen Ross,* Iroquois, ON Co-Director, Sustainable Food SystemsRick Sawa,* Prince Albert, SKRebecca Schiff,* Happy Valley /Goose Bay, NLBrynne Sinclair-Waters,* Ottawa, ON (PEI)Tasha Sutcliffe, Vancouver, BCShirley Thompson, Winnipeg, MB

Steering Committee Members 2011-12

Contributing Members of Local Planning Team

Onsite Volunteers

* mandate continues until 2013

NAIT Host-Partner Support

Susan Roberts Debbie Hubbard Rene Michalak Amy Beaith-Johnson Annette Anderwald Brenda Barritt Daylin Breen

Lenora Elkin Keyona Bragg Catherine Williams Kayla Atkey Neil McAlpine Lars Hallstrom Kirby Wright

Mary Beckie Ivor MacKay Melissa Scamen Marjorie Bencz Joveena Holmes

Deanna Emberg Karen Eastland Kimberly Vernon

Martin Phung Mike Cornell Stjepan Balenovic

Kyle Hernandez

Matthew StepanicCarla MeyerAmrita BharLaura RussellAnna Vesala

Sandra NgoAnita GregoireAngie DedrickSuzanne DennisJasmine Farahbakhsh

Celia WurihengLauren DaleAli EbrahimTamara MazurJens Christianson

Volunteers Outside EdmontonCatherine CarryLauren GoodmanJanina GrabsNorma KassiKathleen MacDonald

Ravenna Nuaimy-BarkerHannah RenglichJoyce RockStephanie ScottSamantha Work

Stephanie WangPat KeransGeneviève GrossenbacherEmma Bronson

19FOOD SECURE CANADA

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